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The most powerful and flexible way to search for cases on Fastcase is to perform a keyword search using Boolean operators.

Boolean operators are symbols that tell a search engine how to relate keywords together. For example, there are many ways to relate the two keywords Cat and Mouse.

• Cat AND Mouse

This search will yield cases containing both the words Cat and Mouse.

• Cat OR Mouse

This search will yield cases containing at least one of the words Cat or Mouse.

• Cat NOT Mouse

This search will yield cases containing the word Cat but not the word Mouse.

• Cat w/5 Mouse

This search will yield cases containing the word Cat within 5 words of the word Mouse.

Fastcase’s search engine is compatible with 7 simple Boolean operators. Don’t worry, there is no need to memorize them. We display each operator along with examples right below the search box on the Advanced Caselaw Search page.

If you are new to Fastcase, a good way to learn how to use these operators is to click on one of the blue hyperlinked examples in the search tips. This will paste the search query in the example into the search box. Then you can press search to see what the results look like and compare them to the description of expected results listed in the search tips box. We are confident that with a little practice, you will become an expert in keyword searching in no time!

Tip: Sign up for the “Keyword Search Made Easy” webinar at www.fastcase.com/webinars for a live presentation about using Boolean operators.

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Tags: tips